No Dairy Allergy!

After cutting my dairy for almost two weeks, we didn't see much change in Aberly.  I decided to start introducing small amounts back into my diet.  Some cookies with butter, cheese dip, etc...  and after two days, no effect on Aberly.

Overall, she is improving.  Although still a fuss budget, she is having more "fun" and "happy" time.  She is quite the smiler and coos at us.  We also are learning what helps to sooth her and are getting better at calming her when she gets fussy.  Sometimes nothing works so I resort to giving her a comfort feeding.

Our new adventure is getting her to nap.  Unless she's in the car, she won't really nap for more than 20 minute catnaps.  We know she is tired because we can get her to fall into the catnaps when holding her.  Tomorrow we are thinking of just putting her down at noon or 1, and letting her cry to sleep to see what happens.  Being 6 weeks, we think she's old enough to try this.

Here is our princess.

Merry Christmas

It's been awhile since we've posted!  It's been a busy last couple of weeks preparing for Christmas.  Despite our bundle of joy keeping our hands occupied, we did manage to finish our Christmas shopping, decorating the house (minus a tree since we're at my parents' this year), and getting our Christmas card out.

Our Christmas was wonderful as we spent it with my parents and brother, as well as aunts/uncles/cousins/grandmother on Christmas Day.  My mom did an awesome job preparing the house and all the food for the day!  The housefull of people was a blessing and everyone enjoyed meeting Miss Aberly.

Aberly continues to be up and down and we're doing our best to adapt to her "strong" and fussy personality.  She does have her good times, but her fussiness still outweighs that right now.  At this point, we're not sure dairy really is the culprit since her fussiness hasn't greatly improved with me being on the dairy-free diet.  I'll do my best to stick with it for another week or so until her 6-week appointment where I can check in with the pediatrician and show her what my diet has been and how Aberly has been in correlation each day.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

No dairy...

After becoming increasingly fussy and crying all the time, I took Aberly into the pediatrician.  After hearing what I had to say and looking her over, our doctor thinks she is intolerant to cow's milk proteins, which causes her stomach pain and irritation.  So, to alleviate the problem (if that really is the case), I get to stop eating all dairy so she doesn't get it through my breastmilk.  It's been another major adjustment but I'm getting there.

So far, she seems to be doing better each day.  The doctor said it will take 3-4 days to see the turn around since it will take some time for my body to "clear out" the proteins in my system/milk.  Today is day 2 of the test.

Besides that, we are doing well and continuing to adjust to having a newborn.  It's been emotionally and mentally trying at times but we are getting the hang of it!

Every day is a new day

We are quickly learning that even after a couple days of a "schedule", Aberly can throw us a twist and have a fussy, non-schedule day.  Today she woke up, fed, and immediately went back to sleep (she usually is up for a couple hours after feeding).  She has also been pretty much "on me" all morning, which is tiring for mom!  She has finally calmed a bit and is sitting with Colin, but it's only working with the help of white noise and a pacifier.

At least the last two days have been nice.  She was very happy and fun!

Calming effects

Thank you to the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block".  It has great advice for soothing your fussy baby (after all other basic needs are taken care of)!  Aberly has had a much better day and been pretty fun all day.  Well, the morning was rough but the afternoon and evening were great!  She has totally taken to a pacifier and enjoys hanging out in the front pack.  Happy baby!

Bath time

  In bed with mom and dad

Exhaustion

No one can prepare you for the level of exhaustion new parents experience with a newborn.  It's a kind of tired that you only understand once you get it.  Last night I was a walking zombie, and luckily, Colin's mom was available to come over and watch Aberly while I slept and he graded (tons to do for the end of the term).  Today I am feeling much better, but despite an easy day with her so far, I am still a bit tired.  How does that happen???

Besides being tired, we are doing well and doing our best to attack each day as it comes.  We are ready for her to be older, but we know we have to be patient and get thru this trying time.  We look forward to when she's no longer a newborn!

Aberly continues to grow.  A friend commented to me today that Aberly doesn't look like a "newborn" so much anymore and is filling out.  Her features are becoming more defined.  At her last appointment, she was back at birth weight, so we look forward to her next appointment on Tuesday to find out where she is now.

Colin says this picture looks like she is saying "touchdown!".

Poop

It isn't until you have a baby that you find out poop is very important.  Like, how many times has she gone each day, what color is it, etc...  Poop became especially important for Aberly because she didn't feed very well the 2nd/3r day of life (latching issues) and so we've had to keep track of when she started pooping, peeing, and feeding to share with our lactation consultant at tomorrow's appointment.  Can't say it's been fun to track all that this week but we can say that Aberly is definitely on track now.  She's had 4 poops today and is eating great.

Besides poop, Aberly is a great baby.  She's overall very mellow and only cries when she's hungry or has a dirty diaper.  Once fed, changed, and dressed, she's ready to go and low key.  She's becoming more aware of the world around her and likes to spend time looking at whatever she can when awake and alert.  Sleeping is not a problem for her and she is on a pretty regular schedule already.  Feed, nap, be alert, feed, nap, etc...

Right now, Aberly is sitting on dad's lap and watching/listening to mom type this post.  She's also giving us an ever entertaining round of facial expressions, sneezes, and grunts.

Welcoming Aberly Grace Price

Aberly made her debut on November 21st, at 8:59 pm.  7 lbs, 14 ozs, and about 19 inches long.  She came out with a full head of dark hair, long nails, and everything perfect.  She is doing great so far and of course, the cutest baby in our opinion.

Happy 3rd to us!

Yesterday was a 3-year anniversary.  Knowing that Aberly could've come anytime, we laid low and decided not to go far.  Colin made us reservations at the restaurant where he proposed, which was very fun, and we had a really nice dinner.  He also bought me a beautiful bracelet even though the maternity photo shoot was supposed to be our anniversary gifts to each other.  He's a keeper!

Our most recent appointment went well.  I'm still at the same spot as before.  85% effaced and about 3 cm.  It's just a matter of time!  My midwife did sweep my membranes at the appointment to see if that would help get labor rolling, but no luck, at least so far.  If it's going to work, it normally occurs within 12 hours, so I'm not holding out hope that this point.

Today is Colin's last day of work so he's very excited.  He decided to take tomorrow off to finalize sub plans for after Thanksgiving and wrap up his master's program work.  I am still working tomorrow, but then I'll be on maternity leave as well.  We can't wait!

Week 39.

I'm big and I'm ready.

Baby gone wild.

Oh my goodness.  Aberly went crazy yesterday.  She was a moving machine.  My stomach is sore in some spots today from her persistent stretching, kicks, and rolls.  Luckily today she's been more quiet and serene, and not moving quiet as forcefully.

We are so happy tomorrow is Saturday and will be able to relax.  This week has been tiring!

Rain, rain, don't go away

It's been a wonderful day off.  Thank you Veteran's!

Starting the celebration early, I made Colin breakfast in bed this morning and we lounged and watched TV to start off our day.  After getting ready, we enjoyed a quiet morning around the house.  Colin did some reading for his master's work and I did some random chores I'd been putting off.  There is something about an extra day off that makes those chores easier to do.  Maybe because it's not the weekend you are trying to savor...  The pre-birthday festivities will continue this evening as we are going out for dinner with our friends, Mark and Kari, and then we'll have yummy blackberry cobbler and ice cream for dessert back at home.

Hoping for labor to kick in last night but no luck.  After so many Braxton Hicks contractions the past few days I was thinking something might be on its way.  Darn!  

Life is going well otherwise for me and Colin.  We're just taking each day at a time and trying to enjoy each one for what it is.  Thank goodness I feel so good and can still work because that makes time go by more quickly!

The fun event for the weekend was Colin's "man shower" on Saturday.  Colin's brothers, dad, and some friends all got together for dinner, beer, and games and had a great time.  I spent the evening hanging with two friends while our hubbies partied.  We had a great time as well!

Joy of all Joys

The Ducks lost to Stanford and the Beavers beat Cal.  Awesome Saturday.

But besides that, Saturday was also fun because we met with one of Colin's student's mom who is a doula.   She gave us some advice to prep for labor and some techniques to make it smoother.  Colin also learned some great massage styles to help with my pain.

No one is ever totally ready for labor, but we say "bring it on!"
 

Appointment!

I am 80% effaced, 1 cm dialated, and Aberly is in a zero station.  She is pretty much knocking on the door! Labor just needs to start :-)

Getting ready

This weekend was a lot of fun.  Friday night was spent with the Kents carving pumpkins and roasting seeds, and then we had friends over on Halloween night for dinner and games.

       

Sunday was the highlight as Colin and I had maternity shots done on Sunday.  The photographer was great and we found out through talking to her that she is a Christian lady and connected with three of our good friends through church or Young Life.  We were so happy we found her!  She did a great job and our shots should be ready for us on a CD in two weeks.

After that, I spent Sunday afternoon washing and folding all of the newborn clothes I have so they are ready for Aberly when she comes.  Yes, don't worry, I used Dreft!  The nursery is almost ready with a few final touches to be done.

These last few weeks ahead of us look long as we are ready for Aberly to be here now, but we're being as patient as possible and trying to savor the time together and with family and friends.  We so appreciate all the love and support we have from everyone!

37 Weeks

New Blog

Okay, so I thought we'd try this out with Aberly coming any day now.  It'll be an easy way for friends and family to keep up with our life and Aberly's growth.